Bicycle electrical system diagnostic device

ABSTRACT

A bicycle electrical system diagnostic device is provided for a bicycle electrical system in which several electric devices are connected. The diagnostic device includes a connecting section and an electric device recognizing section. The connecting section is configured to be connected to and disconnected from the electrical system. The electric device recognizing section is configured to communicate with the electrical system and recognize any of the electric devices while the connecting section is electrically connected to anyone of the electric devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2011-167757, filed Jul. 29, 2011. The entire disclosureof Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-167757 is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to a bicycle electrical systemdiagnostic device. More specifically, the present invention relates to abicycle electrical system diagnostic device for a bicycle electricalsystem in which several electric devices are connected.

2. Background Information

There is a previously known technology in which a bicycle electricdevice to be diagnosed is connected to a diagnostic device and adiagnostic of the electric device is executed (see U.S. Pat. No.7,819,032). The known diagnostic device is connected to the electricdevice with a connector and executes a diagnostic by communicating withthe electric device.

SUMMARY

With the above mentioned diagnostic device, the electric device cannotbe diagnosed unless the diagnostic device is connected directly to theelectric device with a wire. Consequently, when there are multipleelectric devices, it is necessary to reconnect the wire to each electricdevice one by one or connect separate wires from the diagnostic deviceto each of the electric devices in order to diagnose the electricdevices.

One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a diagnostic devicefor a bicycle electrical system in which several electric devices areconnected such that the time required to accomplish a diagnostic isreduced.

In view of the state of the known technology, a bicycle electricalsystem diagnostic device according to a first aspect is provided for abicycle electrical system in which several electric devices areconnected. The bicycle electrical system diagnostic device comprises aconnecting section and an electric device recognizing section. Theconnecting section is configured to be connected to and disconnectedfrom the electrical system. The electric device recognizing section isconfigured to communicate with the electrical system and recognize anyof the electric devices while the connecting section is electricallyconnected to anyone of the electric devices. Since the diagnostic devicecan recognize the electric devices that are connected together, thediagnostic device can diagnose any of the electric devices whileconnected to one electric device of the bicycle electrical system andenables the time required for diagnosing to be reduced.

A bicycle electrical system diagnostic device according to a secondaspect is provided according to the first aspect, wherein the connectingsection is connected to any one of the electric devices of theelectrical system or between electric devices. With this aspect, theconnecting section can be connected at a place where connecting iseasily accomplished because the connecting section can be connectedbetween electric devices or to one of the electric devices.

A bicycle electrical system diagnostic device according to a thirdaspect is provided according to the first or second aspect, furthercomprising an indicating section configured to indicate an electricdevice recognized by the electric device recognizing section. With thisaspect, a user can ascertain whether the diagnostic device is actuallyrecognizing an electric device because the indicating section indicatesa recognized electric device.

A bicycle electrical system diagnostic device according to a fourthaspect is provided according to any one of the first to third aspects,further comprising a problem diagnosing section configured to diagnoseif an electric device recognized by the electric device recognizingsection has failed. With this aspect, an electric device that has failedcan be identified.

A bicycle electrical system diagnostic device according to a fifthaspect is provided according to the fourth aspect, wherein theindicating section indicates a failed electric device when the problemdiagnosing section determines that a problem exists. With this aspect, auser can easily ascertain which electric device has failed.

A bicycle electrical system diagnostic device according to a sixthaspect is provided according to the fourth aspect, wherein the problemdiagnosing section determines if an electrical component contained in anelectric device has failed. With this aspect, an electrical componentcontained in an electric device that has failed can be identified.

A bicycle electrical system diagnostic device according to a seventhaspect is provided according to the sixth aspect, wherein the indicatingsection indicates an electrical component that the problem diagnosingsection has determined to have failed when the problem diagnosingsection determines that a problem exists. With this aspect, a user caneasily recognize which electrical component has failed.

A bicycle electrical system diagnostic device according to an eighthaspect is provided according to any one of the fourth to seventhaspects, wherein the indicating section indicates a cause of problemwhen the problem diagnosing section determines that a problem exists.With this aspect, a user can respond to an electrical component problemmore readily because a cause of the problem is indicated.

A bicycle electrical system diagnostic device according to an ninthaspect is provided according to any one of the fourth to eighth aspects,wherein the indicating section indicates a repair method correspondingto the problem when the problem diagnosing section determines that aproblem exists. With this aspect, a user can quickly replace a componentor take other action because a repair method corresponding to the typeof problem of the failed electrical component is indicated. Thus, a usercan respond to a problem even more readily.

A bicycle electrical system diagnostic device according to a tenthaspect is provided according to any one of the first to ninth aspects,wherein the electric devices of the electrical system are connectedusing power line communication. The connecting section is connected tothe electrical system using a power line communication line. With thisaspect, the connecting section can be easily connected to any of theelectric devices.

A bicycle electrical system diagnostic device according to an eleventhaspect is provided according to the tenth aspect, wherein each of theelectric devices of the electrical system has a power line communicationterminal. The connecting section is configured to be connected to thepower line communication terminals. With this aspect, electric power canbe supplied and signals can be communicated by simply connecting a powercommunication line to the power line communication terminals.

A bicycle electrical system diagnostic device according to a twelfthaspect is provided according to any one of the first to eleventhaspects, wherein an electric device includes a communication cable. Withthis aspect, trouble with the communication cable can be responded to byproviding readable identification information in the communicationcable.

With the disclosed bicycle electrical system diagnostic device, sincethe diagnostic device can recognize the electric devices that areconnected together, the diagnostic device can diagnose any of theelectric devices while connected to one electric device of the bicycleelectrical system and enables the time required for diagnosing to bereduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electrical system connected to a bicycleelectrical system diagnostic device in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a bus connection structure of a bicycleelectrical system;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a function configuration of thediagnostic device;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a diagnostic software;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a problem diagnostic process;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a system diagnosis process;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an individual diagnosis process;

FIG. 8 shows an example of a Diagnosis Process menu screen;

FIG. 9 shows an example of a unit connection waiting screen displayedduring a customizing process;

FIG. 10 shows an example of a shift switch function setting screendisplayed during a customizing process;

FIG. 11 shows an example of a shift switch setting screen displayedduring a customizing process;

FIG. 12 shows an example of a Problem Diagnosis process menu screen;

FIG. 13 shows an example of a Connected Unit Selection screen displayedduring a system diagnostic process;

FIG. 14 shows an example of a unit recognition screen displayed during asystem diagnostic process or an individual diagnostic process;

FIG. 15 shows an example of a Problem Diagnosis screen (ProblemDiagnosis start screen) displayed during a system diagnostic process oran individual diagnostic process;

FIG. 16 shows an example of a Problem Diagnosis screen (switch operationinstructing screen) displayed during a system diagnostic process or anindividual diagnostic process;

FIG. 17 shows an example of a Problem Diagnosis screen (switch operationending screen) displayed during a system diagnostic process or anindividual diagnostic process;

FIG. 18 shows an example of a Problem Diagnosis screen (electricalcomponent normal screen) displayed during a system diagnostic process oran individual diagnostic process;

FIG. 19 shows an example of a Problem Diagnosis screen (electricalcomponent problem screen) displayed during a system diagnostic processor an individual diagnostic process;

FIG. 20 shows an example of a Problem Diagnosis screen (unit diagnosecompleted screen) displayed during a problem diagnostic process;

FIG. 21 shows an example of a Firmware Update screen;

FIG. 22 shows an example of a Firmware Write screen; and

FIG. 23 shows an example of a Diagnosis process menu screen inaccordance with another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a bicycle electrical system 7(hereinafter called “electrical system 7”) is illustrated with a bicycleelectrical system diagnostic device 30 in accordance with a firstembodiment. The bicycle electrical system diagnostic device 30 includesa bicycle communication adapter 40 (hereinafter called “communicationadapter 40”) and a management device 50. The electrical system 7 isconnected to the management system 50 via the communication adapter 40and configured such that it can connect a plurality of electric devicesusing a power line communication (hereinafter called “PLC”) standard.The communication adapter 40 is a connecting section that can beconnected to and disconnected from the electrical system. The electricalsystem 7 includes an electric device connected using a PLC standard. Theelectrical system 7 of this embodiment has, for example, such electricdevices as an electrically driven rear derailleur an electrically drivenfront derailleur 10 f, a battery unit 12, an operating mode changingunit 14, a first shift operating device 16 r, and a second shiftoperating device 16 f. Unique identifying information (e.g., a uniqueidentifier) is assigned to each of the electric devices. Each of theelectric devices is provided with a memory from which information storedby communications can be read and in which the unique identifyinginformation is stored.

The rear derailleur 10 r has a rear shifting motor 20 r, a rear gearposition sensor 21 r and a rear control section 22 r. The rear shiftingmotor 20 r is configured to drive a chain guide (not shown) of the rearderailleur 10 r in an upshift direction and a downshift direction. Therear gear position sensor 21 r is used to position the chain guide at aplurality of shift positions. The rear control section 22 r controls therear shifting motor 20 r in response to operation of a switch X and aswitch Y (explained later) of the first shift operation member 16 r.

The front derailleur 10 f has a front shifting motor 20 f, a front gearposition sensor 21 f, and a front control section 22 f. The frontshifting motor 20 f is configured to drive a chain guide (not shown) ofthe front derailleur 10 f in an upshift direction and a downshiftdirection. The front gear position sensor 21 f is used to position thechain guide at a plurality of shift positions. The front control section22 f controls the front shifting motor 20 f in response to operations ofa switch X and a switch Y (explained later) of the second shiftoperation member 16 f.

The battery unit 12 holds a removable battery 12 a comprising, forexample, a lithium ion battery. The mode changing unit 14 is providedfor selecting an operating mode of the electrical system 7 in order tofine adjust the positions of the chain guides of the front derailleur 10f and the rear derailleur 10 r with respect to the gears. The modechanging unit 14 has a mode changing switch 14 a. An operator can selectto operate the electrical system 7 in an adjustment mode by operatingthe mode changing switch 14 a. In the adjustment mode, a position of thechain guide of the rear derailleur 10 r can be fine adjusted in anupshift direction or a downshift direction by operating the switch X orthe switch Y (explained later) of the first shift operating device 16 r.Also, in the adjustment mode, a position of the chain guide of the frontderailleur 10 f can be fine adjusted in an upshift direction or adownshift direction by operating the switch X or the switch Y (explainedlater) of the second shift operating device 16 f.

The first shift operating device 16 r has a switch X and a switch Y usedfor executing a shift operation of the rear derailleur 10 r. The secondshift operating device 16 f has a switch X and a switch Y used forexecuting a shift operation of the front derailleur 10 f. The switches Xand Y of the first shift operating device 16 r are provided, forexample, on a brake lever for operating a front brake or on a bracket ofthe brake lever. The switches X and Y of the second shift operatingdevice 16 f are provided, for example, on a brake lever for operating arear brake or on a bracket of the brake lever.

These electric devices are connected with a power communication line 25.A communication terminal 26 configured such that connectors provided onboth ends of the power communication line 25 can be connected thereto ismounted on each of the electric devices. The communication terminal 26is, for example, a two-conductor female connector. Only onecommunication terminal 26 is provided on an electric device (e.g., therear derailleur 10 r) located at a terminal end of the electrical system7 and two are provided on the other electric devices. It is alsoacceptable to provide two communication terminals 26 on the electricdevice located at the terminal end. For example, in this embodiment, twocommunication terminals 26 are provided on the second shift operatingdevice 16 f located at a terminal end of the electrical system.Additionally, when a shift switch of a different type than the first andsecond shift operating devices, e.g., a satellite switch (explainedlater), is installed as an electric device, the shift switch can beadded to the electrical system by connecting it to an unused terminal 26of the second shift operating device 16 f using the power communicationline 25.

In FIG. 1 the communication adapter 40 is connected between the modechanging unit 14 and the first shift operating device 16 r. However,when the communication adapter 40 is removed and the electrical system 7is in a normal state, the mode changing unit 14 and the first shiftoperating device 16 r are connected using the power communication line25.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the electric devices is connected to aserial bus structure. As shown in FIG. 2, asocial bus SB is alsoprovided inside the electric devices and, if a communication adapter 40is provided, the serial bus SB is made up of the communication adapter40, the electric devices, and the power communication line 25. As aresult, regardless of whether any electric device is connected ordisconnected the electric device can operate so long as it is connectedto the power communication line 25. For example, in FIG. 1, even if thecommunication adapter 40 and the mode changing unit 14 are disconnected,the electric system 7 will operate because the battery unit 12 and thefirst shift operating device 16 r are connected together by the powercommunication line 25. Also, if, for example, the front derailleur 10 fis operated with a regular shift cable, then it is acceptable for thebattery unit 12 and the rear derailleur 10 r to be connected b theelectric power communication line 25. In this case, too, the electricalsystem 7 will operate.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication adapter 40 can be connected to thecommunication system 50 using a USB cable 29 having two communicationlines and two electric power lines. The communication adapter 40 has twofirst communication terminals 27 for power line communication and asecond communication terminal 28 that can communicate with themanagement system 50. The first communication terminals 27 are of thesame specifications as the communication terminals 26 of the electricdevices. The second communication terminal 28 comprises, for example, aUSB type B female connector. Providing two first communication terminals27 enables the communication adapter 40 to be connected such that it cancommunicate with all the electric devices of the electrical system 7without providing a dedicated communication terminal specificallyconnecting the communication adapter to the electrical system 7. Forexample, although in FIG. 1 the communication adapter 40 is connectedbetween the mode changing unit 14 and the first shift operating device16 r, the communication adapter 40 can be connected between the batteryunit 12 and the front derailleur 10 f or between any other two electricdevices.

The management system 50 comprises, for example, a personal computer(hereinafter called “PC”) having a USB input/output terminal 50 a (e.g.,a USB type A female connector). The management system 50 includes adisplay and an input device, such as a keyboard or a mouse. Themanagement system 50 uses diagnostic software stored inside the PC toexecute problem diagnosing of the electric devices, settings of theelectric devices, and such management processing as updating thefirmware of the electric devices.

As shown in FIG. 3, the management system 50 has the followingfunctional components that are realized by executing the software: anelectric device recognizing section 60, an indicating section 62, aproblem diagnosing section 64, and a customizing section 66. When thecommunication adapter 40 is connected to any one of the electricdevices, the electric device recognizing section 60 can communicate withthe electrical system 7 and recognize the electric devices of theelectrical system 7. The indicating section 62 indicates the electricdevices recognized by the electric device recognizing section 60 on thedisplay. The problem diagnosing section 64 diagnoses whether a problemhas occurred in the electric devices recognized by the electric devicerecognizing section 60. In this embodiment, the problem diagnosingsection 64 also diagnoses whether a problem has occurred in theelectrical components contained in the electric devices recognized bythe electric device recognizing section 60.

If the problem diagnosing section 64 determines that a problem hasoccurred, the indicating section 62 indicates the electric device thatthe problem diagnosing section 64 has determined to have failed on thedisplay. Also, in this embodiment, when the problem diagnosing section64 has determined that a problem occurred, the problem diagnosingsection 64 indicates an electrical component that the problem diagnosingsection 64 has determined to have failed on the display. Examples ofelectrical components contained in the electric devices include switchesin the first and second shift operating devices 16 r and 16 f and motorsand position sensors contained in the front and rear derailleurs 10 fand 10 r.

The indicating section 62 also indicates a cause of problem on thedisplay when the problem diagnosing section 64 determines that a problemhas occurred. The indicating section 62 also indicates a cause ofproblem on the display when the problem diagnosing section 64 determinesthat a problem has occurred. The customizing section 66 is used toexecute custom settings of the switches and other electrical componentsin the electric devices.

The PC functions as the management system 50 when the problem diagnosingsection 64 executes the diagnostic software in response to aninstruction from the input device. The flow of the operations executedby the diagnostic software will now be explained using the flowchartsshown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7.

When the diagnostic software is started, the management system 50proceeds to step S1 in FIG. 4 and presents a menu screen for thediagnostic software on the display. An example of the menu screen isshown in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 8, a menu bar is displayed on an upper portion of the screen. Animage of an entire bicycle is displayed on a right side of the screenand indicates electric devices (hereinafter called “units”) that can beinstalled on the bicycle in a recognizable fashion. The units areindicted, for example, in different colors and/or lighter shades thanother parts of the bicycle. A list of selectable items that can beexecuted by the diagnostic software is displayed on the left side of thescreen. Although the selectable items are indicated in vertical list inthis example, it is acceptable for the items to be displayed in ahorizontal list or in a matrix form. There are, for example, fourselectable items: “Customize,” “Problem Diagnosis,” “Update Firmware,”and “Initial Firmware Write.” An operator selects one of the fourselectable items by using the input device to align a cursor with theitem.

In step S2 of FIG. 4, the management system 50 determines if Customizehas been selected. In step S2, the management system 50 determines ifProblem Diagnosis has been selected. In step S3, the management system50 determines if Update Firmware has been selected. In step S4, themanagement system 50 determines if Initial Firmware Write has beenselected. In step S5, the management system 50 determines if anotheroperation has been selected, such as an item contained in the menu bar.In step S6, the management system 50 determines if “Exit” has beenelected from a pull down menu accessed from “File” in the menu bar. If“Exit” has been selected, then management system 50 closes thediagnostic software.

If it determines that Customize has been selected in step S2, then themanagement system 50 proceeds from step S1 to step S7. In step S7, themanagement system 50 executes customization processing. Thecustomization processing enables an operator to change a unit targetedfor operation and to change function settings of a unit as desired. Whenthe customization processing starts, a connection waiting screen isdisplayed as shown in FIG. 9 to wait for the diagnostic device to beconnected to a unit of the electrical system 7 of the bicycle. After theoperator has completed connecting the management system 50 to the unitof the electrical system 7 through the communication adapter 40, theoperator aligns the cursor with the item “Next” indicated on the displayand selects “Next”. Hereinafter, aligning the cursor with an item andselecting the item will be explained as simply selecting the item. When“Next” is selected, the management system 50 recognizes the unit it isconnected to and an attribute of the unit. In other words, themanagement system 50 identifies the unit it is connected to.

When the management system 50 finishes recognizing the unit, an image ofthe entire bicycle is displayed on the right side of the screen with therecognized unit depicted in a different format than units that were notrecognized, as shown in FIG. 10. For example, the recognized unit isdepicted with a bold outline of the shape of the unit. For the purposesof explanation, FIG. 10 illustrates a situation in which only the firstshift operating device 16 r has been recognized. If other units wererecognized, the recognized units are likewise indicated in a differentformat from units that were not recognized.

The screen shown in FIG. 10 displays the selectable items “Shift SwitchFunction Settings” and “Derailleur Adjustment Settings.” If the firstshift operating device 16 r has been recognized, then Switch FunctionSettings can be selected. If the front derailleur 20 f or the rearderailleur 10 r has been recognized, then “Derailleur AdjustmentSettings” can also be selected.

When “Shift Switch Function Settings” is selected, the functions of theswitches X and Y of the first shift operating device 16 r and/or thesecond shift operating device 16 f recognized by the management system50 can be set as desired. In this example, since the first shiftoperating device 16 r has been recognized, the functions set for theswitches X and Y of the first shift operating device 16 r are displayedas shown in FIG. 11. An operator can set the functions assigned to theswitches X and Y of the first shift operating device 16 r as desired.The function to be assigned to the switch X and the function to beassigned to the switch Y can be changed easily by selecting the desiredfunction from a pull down menu. After selecting a function to beassigned to the switch X and a function to be assigned to the switch Yfrom the pull down menu, the operator selects a Set button displayed onthe screen to execute communication between the management system 50 andthe first shift operating device 16 r and set the functions of theswitches. Each of the switches X and Y of the first shift operatingdevice 16 r and the second shift operating device 16 f can be set toupshift or downshift the front derailleur 10 f or to upshift ordownshift the rear derailleur 10 r. For example, the switch X of thefirst shift operating device 16 r could be set to upshift the frontderailleur and the switch Y of the first shift operating device 16 rcould be set to upshift the front derailleur 10 f.

If “Derailleur Adjustment Settings” is selected, then the positions ofthe front and rear derailleurs 10 f and 10 r recognized by themanagement system 50 can be fine adjusted with respect to each of thegears. An amount by which a position of a derailleur will be adjusted ina downshift direction or an upshift direction is set by inputting anumerical value using the input device or by selecting a numerical valuefrom a pull down. The management system 50 transmits information relatedto the numerical value to the front or rear derailleur 10 f or 10 r.

If “Problem Diagnosis” is selected, then the management system 50proceeds from step S2 to step S8. In step S8, the management system 50executes the problem diagnostic processing shown in FIG. 5. In step S21of the problem diagnostic processing shown in FIG. 5, the managementsystem 50 displays the Problem Diagnosis menu screen shown in FIG. 12.From the Problem Diagnosis menu screen, an operator can select “SystemDiagnosis” or “Individual Diagnosis.”

With the System Diagnosis, an operator selects which units are connectedto the electrical system 7 and the management system 50 identifies theunits that are actually connected as a part of the electrical system 7.Thus, a unit that has been selected by the operator but not recognizedby the management system 50 is possibly failing. Also, the systemdiagnostic processing executes a Problem Diagnosis with respect to unitsthat have been recognized.

The Individual Diagnosis does not include a selection process in whichthe operator selects which units are connected to the electrical system7 and, instead, diagnoses each individual unit recognized by themanagement system 50 for problem. In step S22, the management system 50determines if “System Diagnosis” has been selected. In step S23, themanagement system 50 determines if “Individual Diagnosis” has beenselected. In step S24, the management system 50 determines if Exit hasbeen elected from a pull down menu accessed from “File” in the menu bar.If Exit has been selected, then the management system 50 returns to theprocessing shown in FIG. 4.

If “System Diagnosis” is selected from the Problem Diagnosis menu screenshown in FIG. 12, then the management system 50 proceeds from step S22to step S25 and executes the system diagnostic processing shown in FIG.6. In step S31 of the system diagnostic processing shown in FIG. 6, theConnected Unit Selection screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. TheConnected Unit Selection screen shows all of the units that can beconnected to the electrical system 7. The symbol “SM-BT” indicates thebattery unit 12. The symbol “ST-L” indicates the second shift operatingdevice 16 f. The symbol “ST-R” indicates the first shift operatingdevice 16 r. The symbol “DH-SW” indicates a satellite switch. Althoughan image of a satellite switch is shown on the Connected Unit Selectionscreen, the satellite switch is not connected in this embodiment. Thesatellite switch is a shifter switch that can be mounted to a handle barin a different position than the first shift operating section 16 r andthe second operating section 16 f. The symbol “FD” indicates the frontderailleur 10 f. The symbol “RD” indicates the rear derailleur 10 f.

As shown in FIG. 13, a list of units that can be connected to theelectrical system 7 is displayed on the Connected Unit Selection screen.The Connected Unit Selection screen includes, for example, anexplanatory sentence saying “Select units to be connected to the PC,” a“Back” button for returning to a previous screen, a “Cancel” button foraborting the unit selection operation, and a “Next” button forproceeding to a subsequent operation. The “Back” and “Cancel” buttonsare shown on other screens as well. Regardless of the screen, selecting“Back” causes the immediately previous screen to be displayed andselecting “Cancel” cancels the current operation.

The Connected Unit Selection screen indicates a check box and a numberof units connected for each unit type. The input device can be operatedto insert and remove check marks to and from the check boxes. The inputdevice can also be operated to select a number of units connected foreach unit type using a pull down list. From the screen shown in FIG. 13,the operator puts a check mark in the check box of each of the unitsconnected in the electrical system 7. When a check is put in a checkbox, the indicated number of connected units goes to 1. If a differentnumber of units is/are connected, then the operator changes the numberof connected units. If a “Select All” check box is checked, then checkmarks are put into the check boxes of all the units at once. FIG. 13illustrates a situation in which check marks have been put in the checkboxes corresponding to the six units excluding the DH-SW.

So long as a check mark is in at least one of the check boxes, the Nextbottom can be selected. When an operator selects “Next”, the managementsystem. 50 proceeds to step S32 and communicates with the units torecognize the units. The management system 50 identifies the units byreading unique identification information that each of the unitspossesses. The management system 50 issues a command to each of theunits instructing the unit to send the identification information. Whena unit receives a command from the management system 50, it outputs thestored identification information. The management system 50 canrecognize each of the units by receiving the identification informationoutputted from each of the units.

In step S33, the management system 50 displays the unit recognitionscreen shown in FIG. 14. The unit recognition screen presents, forexample, the following explanation:

-   -   “Units shown below were recognized. Select units you wish to        diagnose for problem. *If a unit is not indicated even though it        is connected, then the unit or a related electronic wire could        have a problem.”

Additionally, the unit recognition screen presents a name and an imageof recognized unit in addition to the image of the entire bicycle. Themanagement system 50 displays a corresponding check box next to the nameof each unit in the list of recognized units. In this embodiment, asexplained previously, only the second shift operating device 16 f isconnected and the other units are not connected. Consequently, sinceonly the second shift operating device 16 f is recognized, the unitselecting screen displays the name of the first shift operating device16 r and displays the image of the first shift operating device 16 r ina different format than the other units.

By looking at the unit recognition screen, an operator can identifywhich units were not recognized despite being connected to theelectrical system 7. If a unit is not displayed even though it isconnected, then there is a possibility that the unit or a relatedelectronic wire has failed and a user can discover that a unit hasfailed.

Although the unit recognition screen shown in FIG. 14 depicts asituation in which only the second shift operating section 16 f wasrecognized, if other units were recognized, then the name of those unitswill be displayed in the list and the images of the recognized unitswill be displayed along with the image of the entire bicycle using adifferent display format than the images of units that were notrecognized.

In step S34, the management system 50 compares the units selected instep S31 with the units recognized in step S32. Then, the managementsystem 50 determines if the units match. If the units do not match, themanagement system 50 proceeds to step S35. In step S35, the managementsystem 50 displays the symbol and the image of the units that did notmatch. In step S35, it is acceptable to display only the symbols ofunits that did not match or to include both the symbols of the unitsthat did match and the symbols of the units that were selected.

In this way, an operator can readily identify which units were notrecognized even though they are connected to the electrical system 7. Inthe example presented above, since the first shift operating section 16r is the only one of the six units selected that is actually connectedto the electrical system 7, the remaining five units are not recognized.However, if all six units are both connected and selected, then any ofthe six units that cannot not recognized has some kind of problem.

In the unit recognition screen shown in FIG. 14, if a check mark is putin the check box of a unit that was recognized, then the button “StartTest” will become selectable. After the units are determined to match instep S34 or after step S35 ends, the management system 50 proceeds tostep S36. In step S36, the management system 50 determines if anoperator has selected “Start Test”. If it determines in step S36 that“Start Test” has been selected, then the management system 50 proceedsto step S37.

The processing executed in step S37 and subsequent steps is executedsuccessively with respect to each of the recognized units. If it isnecessary to execute a plurality of diagnoses with respect to one unit,then diagnosing of the next unit is not started until all of thediagnoses of the one unit have been completed. A situation in which oneunit requires more than one diagnose occurs when, for example, the oneunit has a plurality of switches. It is acceptable for the order inwhich the units are diagnosed to be the same as the order in which themanagement system 50 recognized the units; it is also acceptable for theorder to be determined in advance. In step S37, the management system 50determines if the electrical component of the unit to be diagnosed is aswitch operated by an operator or something other than a switch. If theelectrical component is a switch, then the management system 50 proceedsfrom step S37 to step S38.

In step S38, the management system 50 displays a Problem Diagnosisscreen (Problem Diagnosis start screen) like that shown in FIG. 15.Here, a situation in which ST-L is diagnosed will be explained. In FIG.15, the message “ST-L will be diagnosed. Press “Start” to begin problemdiagnosis” is displayed along with a “Start” button. The ProblemDiagnosis screen also includes a “Skip” button. By selecting “Skip”, anoperator can end diagnosing of a unit while diagnosing is in progress.If there are two or more unit being diagnosed, then the diagnosing ofthe next unit will start when “Skip” is selected. As shown in FIG. 15,the units targeted for diagnosing are displayed in a different formatthan other units on the Problem Diagnosis screen. For example, the unitsto be diagnosed are displayed in a different color or a lighter ordarker shade. Also, as shown in FIG. 15, it is acceptable for anenlarged image of a unit being diagnosed to be displayed on the ProblemDiagnosis screen. It is also acceptable for only the unit currentlybeing diagnosed to be displayed in a different format on the ProblemDiagnosis screen.

When the Start button shown in FIG. 15 is selected, the managementsystem 50 proceeds to step S39. In step S39, the management system 50displays the Problem Diagnosis screen (switch operation instructingscreen) shown in FIG. 16 and starts a tinier. As shown in FIG. 16,electrical components targeted for diagnosing are displayed in adifferent format than other electrical components on the ProblemDiagnosis screen. For example, the units to be diagnosed are displayedin a different color or a lighter or darker shade. A message informingan operator that it is necessary to operate a switch, e.g., “Press andhold switch X,” is displayed on the switch operation instructing screenand a countdown of time is executed by a timer. The countdown time isalso displayed simultaneously on the switch operation instructingscreen. The timer is set to, for example, 10 seconds. By the time thecountdown ends, the management system 50 determines if the switch waspressed and proceeds to step S40. The management system 50 stops thecounting of the timer when it determines that the switch has beenpressed.

In step S40, the management system 50 displays the Problem Diagnosisscreen (switch operation end screen) shown in FIG. 17 and starts atimer. A message informing an operator that it is necessary to stopoperating the switch, e.g., “Diagnosis finished. Release switch X.” isdisplayed on the switch operation end screen and a countdown of time isexecuted by a timer. The countdown time is also displayed simultaneouslyon the switch operation end screen. The timer is set to, for example, 10seconds. By the time the countdown ends, the management system 50determines if the switch has been released. The management system 50stops the counting of the timer when it determines that the switch is nolonger pressed.

If it determines that a switch problem has not occurred based on theresults of steps S39 to S41, then the management system 50 proceeds tostep S43. If the management system 50 determines that a switch wasoperated in step S39 and determines that the switch is no longer pressedin step S40, then the management system 50 proceeds to step S43. In stepS43, the management system 50 displays a Problem Diagnosis screen(electrical component normal screen) like that shown in FIG. 18indicating that the switch is normal. The electrical component normalscreen displays a message, e.g., “Diagnosis of switch X is finished. Noproblems found,” expressing that the Problem Diagnosis has ended and aproblem does not exist.

If it determines that a switch problem has occurred based on the resultsof steps S39 to S41, then the management system 50 proceeds to step S42.If the management system 50 determines that the switch is not operatedin step S39 or that the switch is still pressed in step S40, then themanagement system 50 proceeds to step S42. In step S42, the managementsystem 50 displays a Problem Diagnosis screen (electrical componentproblem screen) like that shown in FIG. 19 indicating that the switchhas failed. The electrical component problem screen displays a message,e.g., “Diagnosis of switch Y is finished. A problem was found,”expressing that the Problem Diagnosis has ended and a problem doesexist.

If an operator selects “Next Switch” on the Problem Diagnosis screenshown in FIG. 18 or FIG. 19 using the input device, then the result ofstep S44 will be “Yes” and the management system 50 will return to stepS37. Meanwhile, if when diagnosing of all of the recognized units isfinished, the management system 50 moves from step S44 to step S48. Instep S48, the management system 50 displays a Problem Diagnosis screen(unit diagnose completed screen) like that shown in FIG. 20 showingdiagnose results for all electric devices and returns to the processingshown in FIG. 5. The unit diagnose completed screen indicates thatdiagnosing has been completed, indicates whether any of the electricdevices has failed, presents information regarding the unit if anyelectric devices have failed, indicates whether any electroniccomponents have failed, presents information regarding electricalcomponents that have failed, presents causes of problem, and presentsrepair methods or techniques. The unit diagnosing completed screen shownin FIG. 20 displays a message like “All diagnoses have been completed. Afailed unit was found. If firmware can be updated, update the firmwareand then repeat the problem diagnosis.” The unit diagnosing competedscreen also displays a list of diagnose results. The diagnose resultsinclude such expressions as “Bad contact” as a cause of problem and“Replace” as a repair method.

If it determines in step S37 that the unit to be diagnosed is anelectrical component other than a switch, then the management system 50proceeds from step S37 to step S45. In step S45, an operationappropriate for that electrical component is executed. For example, ifthe unit is the rear derailleur 10 r, then the management system 50outputs a command to operate the rear derailleur 10 r by only aprescribed number of gear positions, thereby operating the rear shiftingmotor 20 r. In step S46, the management system 50 determines if the rearderailleur 10 r moved the prescribed number of gear positions and if themovement occurred within a prescribed amount of time based on a signalfrom a position sensor. If the rear derailleur 10 r moved the prescribednumber of gear positions and the movement occurred within the prescribedamount of time, then the management system 50 proceeds to step S43 anddisplays an electrical component normal screen similar to that shown inFIG. 18 expressing that the rear derailleur 10 r has not failed. If therear derailleur 10 r did not move the prescribed number of gearpositions or the movement did not occur within the prescribed amount oftime, then the management system 50 determines that the rear derailleur10 r is malfunctioning and proceeds to step S47. In step S47, themanagement system 50 displays an electrical component problem screensimilar to that shown in FIG. 19 expressing that the rear derailleur 10f has failed. After it finishes these steps, the management system 50proceeds to step S44. A diagnostic of the front derailleur 10 f isconducted in a similar manner to the diagnostic of the rear derailleur10 r.

If it determines in step S23 of FIG. 5 that individual diagnosis hasbeen selected, then the management system 50 proceeds to step S26 andexecutes the individual diagnostic process shown in FIG. 7. Theindividual diagnostic process shown in FIG. 7 is the same as the systemdiagnostic process, except that step S31, step S34 and step S35 aredifferent. Thus, an explanation of the individual diagnostic process isomitted.

If it determines that Firmware Update has been selected in step S3 ofFIG. 4, then the management system 50 proceeds to step S9. In step S9,the management system 50 displays a firmware updating screen like thatshown in FIG. 21. From the firmware updating screen, an operator canselect units that can be updated. The management system 50 reads versioninformation of the firmware from the recognized units, displays theversion information, and displays a version of the firmware that can beinstalled over the current version in a selectable manner. Themanagement system 50 reads the version of firmware from the recognizedunits. An operator uses the input device to select a unit andcorresponding firmware version to be subjected to a firmware update andselects the button “Update” displayed on the screen. In this way, theoperator can easily update the firmware to a later version or an earlierversion.

If it determines that Firmware Write has been selected in step S4 ofFIG. 4, then the management system 50 proceeds to step S10. InitialFirmware Write is a process in which the management system 50 forcefullywrites firmware to a unit. Consequently, the initial firmware writeprocessing is executed with the management system 50 connected only tothe one unit to which the firmware is to be written. In step S10, themanagement system 50 displays a firmware writing screen like that shownin FIG. 22. Firmware corresponding to the unit to which firmware is tobe written is stored in a plurality of files in the management system.From the firmware writing screen, the firmware can be selected from, forexample, a pull down menu.

If an item other than “Exit” (e.g., “Help”, “Tools”) is selected fromthe menu bar in step S5, then the management system 50 proceeds to stepS11 and the selected item is executed.

When this bicycle electrical system diagnostic device 30 is connected toany unit of a bicycle electrical system 7 through the communicationadapter 40, the management system 50 can recognize a plurality of unitsconnected to the bicycle electrical system 7. Consequently, regardlessof which unit of the bicycle electrical system 7 the diagnostic device30 is connected to, all of the units can be diagnosed and the timerequired for diagnosing can be reduced.

Other Embodiments

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims.

Although in the previously explained embodiment, the communicationadapter 40 and the management system 50 are provided as separateentities, it is acceptable for them to be provided as a single unit.Also, although a general purpose PC is used as the management system 50in the embodiment, it is acceptable to use a dedicated computer.

Although the diagnostic completed screen displays causes of problems andrepair techniques in the previously explained embodiment, it isacceptable if such information is not displayed. Displaying causes ofproblem and repair techniques makes it easier for an operator to performrepairs, and not displaying causes of problem and repair techniquesreduces the processing load of the management system 50.

Although the previously explained embodiment exemplifies a diagnosticdevice for an electrical system installed on a road bike, the inventionis not limited to such a bicycle. For example, the invention can beapplied to a diagnostic device for an electrical system of an assistedbicycle configured to employ a motor to supplement a drive forceproduced by a person. FIG. 23 shows an example of a menu screen of anelectrical system diagnostic device for an assisted bicycle configuredto employ a motor to supplement a drive force produced by a person.Basically the only differences with respect to the previously explainedembodiment are that the electric devices installed on the bicycle aredifferent and that a unit log read operation can be executed. The unitlog includes such information as a temperature of a motor, a temperatureof a circuit board operating the motor, a current of the motor, acommunication error with respect to the battery unit, a number ofstarts, a number of times a switch has been operated, and an amount oftime a lamp has been illuminated.

Also components that are shown directly connected or contacting eachother can have intermediate structures disposed between them. Thefunctions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. Thestructures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in anotherembodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in aparticular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is uniquefrom the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, alsoshould be considered a separate description of further inventions by theapplicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodiedby such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodimentsaccording to the present invention are provided for illustration only,and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bicycle electrical system diagnostic device fora bicycle electrical system in which a plurality of electric devices areconnected, the bicycle electrical system diagnostic device comprising: aconnecting section configured to be connected to and disconnected fromthe electrical system; a user input device configured to receive userinputs; and a computer including a recognizing section programmed tocommunicate with the electrical system by the connecting section andrecognize any of the plurality of electric devices connected to theelectrical system diagnostic device by receiving identificationinformation from any of the plurality of electric devices, a problemdiagnosing section programmed to determine if any of the plurality ofelectric devices connected to the connecting section has failed, and anindicating section programmed to display any of the plurality ofelectric devices in a visual depiction of a bicycle on a screen with anyof the plurality of electric devices that arc recognized by therecognizing section displayed in a different format than any of theplurality of electric devices that are not recognized by the electricdevice recognizing section.
 2. The bicycle electrical system diagnosticdevice as recited in claim 1 wherein the indicating section is furtherprogrammed to present any of the plurality of electric devices that maybe connected to the electrical system diagnostic device to be selectedby a user using the user input device, and the problem diagnosingsection is further programmed to target for diagnosing and to diagnoseany of the plurality of electric devices connected to the connectingsection, the indicating section displaying in the visual depiction of abicycle an of the plurality of electric devices targeted for diagnosingin a different format than any of the plurality of electric devices thatare not targeted for diagnosing, the computer being further programmedto indicate on the visual depiction of the bicycle to the user any ofthe plurality of electric devices that were not recognized based onmatching any of the plurality of electric devices selected by the userusing the input device with any of the plurality of electric devicesrecognized by the recognizing section.
 3. The bicycle electrical systemdiagnostic device as recited in claim 2, wherein the connecting sectionis configured to be connected directly to any of the plurality ofelectric devices or to be connected in between any of the plurality ofelectric devices.
 4. The bicycle electrical system diagnostic device asrecited in claim 2, wherein the indicating section indicates a failedelectric device upon the problem diagnosing section determining that aproblem exists in any of the plurality of electric devices.
 5. Thebicycle electrical system diagnostic device as recited in claim 2,wherein the problem diagnosing section determines if an electricalcomponent contained in any of the plurality of electric devices hasfailed.
 6. The bicycle electrical system diagnostic device as recited inclaim 5, wherein the indicating section indicates an electricalcomponent that the problem diagnosing section has determined to havefailed upon the problem diagnosing section determining that a problemexists in any of the plurality of electric devices.
 7. The bicycleelectrical system diagnostic device as recited in claim 2, wherein theindicating section indicates a cause of problem upon the problemdiagnosing section determining that a problem exists in any of theplurality of electric devices.
 8. The bicycle electrical systemdiagnostic device as recited in claim 2, wherein the indicating sectionindicates a repair technique corresponding to the problem upon theproblem diagnosing section determining that a problem exists in any ofthe plurality of electric devices.
 9. The bicycle electrical systemdiagnostic device as recited in claim 2, wherein the connecting sectionis connected to the electrical system using a power line communicationline of any of the plurality of electric devices of the bicycleelectrical system.
 10. The bicycle electrical system diagnostic deviceas recited in claim 9, wherein the connecting section is configured tobe connected to a power line communication terminal of any of theplurality of electric devices of the bicycle electrical system.
 11. Thebicycle electrical system diagnostic device as recited in claim 2,further comprising a communication cable coupled to the connectingsection.
 12. The bicycle electrical system diagnostic device as recitedin claim 2, further comprising a customizing section programmed to allowthe user to change any of the plurality of electric devices targeted bythe problem diagnosis section for diagnosing.
 13. The bicycle electricalsystem diagnostic device as recited in claim 12, wherein the customizingsection is programmed to allow the user to change a function setting ofany of the plurality of electric devices targeted by the problemdiagnosis section for diagnosing.
 14. The bicycle electrical systemdiagnostic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the problem diagnosingsection is further programmed to allow the user to select between asystem diagnosis selection, and an individual diagnosis section.
 15. Thebicycle electrical system diagnostic device as recited in claim 14,wherein after selection of system diagnosis, the computer is programmedto allow the user to select any of the plurality of electric devices tobe targeted by the problem diagnosing section.
 16. The bicycleelectrical system diagnostic device as recited in claim 14, whereinafter selection of individual diagnosis, the problem diagnosing sectionis programmed to automatically diagnose any of the plurality of electricdevices connected to the connecting section.
 17. The bicycle electricalsystem diagnostic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the problemdiagnosing section determines if an electrical component contained inany of the plurality of electric devices has failed.
 18. The bicycleelectrical system diagnostic device as recited in claim 1, wherein theindicating section is programmed to allow a user to select any of theplurality of electric devices connected to the connecting section as notrecognized by the recognizing section.